Adult Weekly Classes

Scratchboard/Watercolor: Combining Drawing with Painting

Instructor: Rick Wheeler

There are several ways to work with the medium of scratchboard. Scratchboard is fundamentally a drawing medium, popular in the early 1900’s for book illustration. Scratchboard makes for some very dramatic black & white renderings, but with this class, the students will discover how adding color – using traditional watercolor – can enhance their drawings. The class will present a variety of tools and techniques that can be used with scratchboard, as well as answering the often asked question, “what happens if you make a mistake?” The solution is easy. Come join us and learn about this unique medium. Some drawing experience is helpful, but not essential.

Dates: Every Tuesday, beginning on 9 January 2018 (No class on February 6, 2018)

Acrylic Landscape: a Painterly Approach

Instructor: Rick Wheeler

“Painterly” is a term often used among other painters. If one painter calls another artists work, “painterly” it’s considered a compliment. The term is used to describe a style of work that allows for visible brushstrokes, thick applications of paint, dry brush, and blocking-in, while incorporating a more generalized, less detailed approach to painting. All of these techniques, and several others will be covered. A popular reference is the work of the Impressionists, who almost single-handedly popularized outdoor, or “plein air” painting in the late 1800’s. To look at a Monet up close is to get a very good sense of what “painterly” means. Not only did Monet use thick paint, but his brushstrokes – particularly up close – are very visible and energetic. We’ll explore some of these techniques while working from photos. Our challenge as painters is to interpret, but never copy, our photo resources. With demos and personal instruction, the instructor will help guide you into the enjoyment of painterly painting.

Dates: Every Tuesday, beginning on 9 January 2018 (No class on February 6, 2018)